8 Ways to Wear White After Labor Day
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Fall may be on its way, but don't pack away your white pieces just yet. The year is 2020, and the question is no longer if you can wear white after Labor Day, but how. It turns out it's super easy to make this color work for the rest of the year, especially once you add a few key pieces to your wardrobe.
Ahead, we've gathered some tips on how to wear white in the fall and winter months, when temperatures really take a dip. Even better, celebrity stylists weighed in, too, sharing the best ways to incorporate this color into outfits for almost any season or occasion.
RELATED: Babydoll Shoes Are the Micro Fashion Trend We'll Be Wearing From Now Until 2021
Play with Different Shades
There's no need for white pieces to match perfectly, so you don't have to run out and buy a coordinated set — just play around with what you already have in your closet. The more you layer, the more wild you can get, so try everything and see what sticks. For example: a crisp white tee looks effortlessly cool when styled with cargo pants and a clean pair of white sneakers. Or, try a white power suit with matching booties for your next meeting.
Get the Look: Madewell Whisper Cotton Ribbed Crewneck T-Shirt ($20; nordstrom.com)
Balance Things Out
If the thought of wearing all white is daunting, try easing your way into it alongside other seasonal colors. Shades such as oatmeal will appear lighter when paired with white pieces, so think of it as an outfit cheat code. On the other end of the color wheel, darker items easily play into the chilly weather vibe.
"Adding autumnal colors, like browns, burgundies and dark greens help bring the whites into fall," says Micah Schifman, a Los Angeles-based stylist who works with Sarah Silverman and Isla Fisher. To combine light and dark, try wearing a pair of white trousers with a darker turtleneck and dark boots for a sleek and simple look.
Get the Look: Mango Palazzo Pants ($100; shop.mango.com)
Keep a Long Knit Dress Handy
A little white dress is definitely a spring and summer staple, but keeping one in your rotation post-Labor Day will also make transitional dressing just a little bit easier. Case in point: you can pair a white midi dress with chunky sandals now, then style it with sneakers later. Dresses made out of heavier fabrics are the perfect way to usher in the chilly weather without completely saying goodbye to your summer style.
Get the Look: Eloquii Turtleneck Puff Sleeve Sweater Dress ($100; eloquii.com)
Add a White Turtleneck
White turtlenecks are truly the unsung hero of winter wardrobes everywhere. Just like the white T-shirt during the summer months, turtlenecks are the ideal layering piece to throw on under anything and everything. They look especially good underneath a lightweight top in the fall, and with thick sweaters or sweatshirts come winter.
Get the Look: Universal Standard Foundation Turtleneck ($65; universalstandard.com)
RELATED: 10 "Weird" Denim Trends to Try Right Now, According to Celebrity Stylists
Don't Forget Shoes and Accessories
On-trend, white accessories or footwear are perfect for updating an outfit you've worn hundreds of times before.
"Incorporate white in unexpected ways," advises Andrew Gelwicks, a stylist who has worked with Luna Blaise and Delilah Belle Hamlin for their red carpet appearances. "Experiment with a white headband, white belt, or white boots. These are all safe, chic ways to still incorporate the color for fall and winter."
Get the look: Matisse Elevation Bootie ($200; nordstrom.com)
Try a Jumpsuit
Think of the jumpsuit as a go-to, easy way to make yourself look amazing in under a minute. While you may already have one laying around in black or navy, a white boiler suit will really stand out and add some extra flair to your usual lineup. Thicker, winter-ready options made from corduroy or denim make for the perfect cold weather alternative. You can even layer them over the aforementioned turtleneck for extra warmth.
Get the look: Lou & Grey Boyish Westley Coverall in Pandora's Box ($188; louandgrey.com)
Incorporate Prints
Playing with patterns is a fun way to try out wearing lighter colors without going all in. Cow, zebra, and snake prints are everywhere right now, so there are plenty of options to choose from. If you want to keep your look more classic, go for thin stripes or polka dots. For an easy office-ready outfit, try styling a printed skirt with a simple button-down or T-shirt. Keeping the rest of your accessories low-key will make the print pop.
Get the look: Off-White Striped Ribbed-Knit Mini Skirt (Originally $730, Now $292; net-a-porter.com)
Have Fun With Texture
Mixing textures can make even the most basic outfits feel more elevated and fashion-forward. Chloe Hartstein, a New York-based stylist who counts Dana Silvers and Diana Agron as clients, recommends mixing a few cool-weather staples together, especially if they're different materials.
"An all-white look is so fresh and timeless, you can reach for the key pieces in your wardrobe to compliment the look," she says. "A great pair of white jeans paired with a chunky knit or cool crisp men's shirt adds depth to the monochrome palette." Throw on a chunkier cardigan a la Taylor Swift for added style points.
Get the look: King & Tuckfield Cable-Knit Linen and Cotton-Blend Sweater ($345; net-a-porter.com)
